How to disappear online

President Obama is getting ready to announce some major changes to the NSA and the various spying programs we have learned so much about in recent months thanks to a series of leaks from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, but the damage has already been done. Couple that with the fact that major breaches perpetrated by malicious hackers around the world are on the rise once again, and there really is no better time than the present for those concerned with privacy and security to begin erasing their digital footprints. For those interested in doing so but who might need some guidance, a how-to guide of sorts that was put together recently could be a huge help.

London-based domain host lookup service provider WhoIsHostingThis? recently published a graphic titled “How to Disappear Online” that aims to provide an easy-to-follow guide for people looking to erase their online lives.

“Social media has made everyone’s life an open book (one that’s open a bit too far in some cases),” WhoIsHostingThis? wrote in a recent blog post that shared the infographic. “As more and more companies and individuals come to rely on the Internet as a primary source of information about others, so too does the possibility of compromising info reaching the wrong person grow.”

The post continued, “For folks concerned about their personal information potentially costing them jobs and relationships, or for those dealing with the harsh realities of social media fallout, the decision to ‘pull the plug’ is an increasingly attractive one. And while it might seem impossible to keep your private life private and your Internet presence to a minimum in a 24/7 connected world, the truth is you can disappear online with a little effort and dedication.”

The guide on the site’s infographic can be followed from start to finish by those looking to take extreme measures to protect their privacy, or bits and pieces can be used to eliminate certain online accounts that are no longer in use. After all, each point of a user’s online presence is another point of exposure.